Link.



Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

J, IVIIERRITT.`

LINK.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I2. 1915.

COLUMBIA PL/mommvu co.,w\smNuToN, u. c.

aan srarns narrar ernten.

JOSEPH MEBRITT, OF HARTFGRD, CGNNECTICT.

LINK.

Application filed April l2, 1915.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, Josnrn Mnnnrr'r, a citizen of the United States, residing 'at lartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful lmprovement in Links, of which the following is a specification.

rlllhis invention relates to those endless links of circular, oblong, or `other shape, used in the jewelry, plumbing, hardware and furniture arts for articulating parts together, which are made up of a tubular sheath, usually formed of aprecious metahasgold, or a relatively soft metal, as copper, and a core generally formed of a baser metal, as brass, or a stronger metal, as steel.

The obj ect of the invention is to produce a link of this character which is very easily manufactured and is very strong when coinpleted, the strengthening core being so shaped that it will readily and surely pass into, conform to and lill the interior without distortingor disliguring the sheath, and will interlock its ends in such manner that when the sheath is closed into final shape the ends of the sheath are so closely united and sok iirinly held by the core that they cannot be separated even if not fastened -by solder or sweating.

In the accompanying drawings Figure l shows a section of a sheath and a side View of a core therefor, before being put together. Fig. 2 shows a similar view with the ends of the core started into the sheath. Fig. 3 shows the same with the core pushed farther into the sheath. Fig. 4 shows the core still farther' in.- Fig. 5 shows the core almost all in and the sheath being closed together. Fig. 6 shows the core cornpletely in and locked and the sheath closed into ring form. Fig. 7 shows on larger scale the method of interlocking' the core ends by tongue and notch. Fig. 8 shows the notch in one core leg. Fig. 9 shows the tongue in the other core leg.

The tubular sheath l, which forms the exterior of the link, may be made to any desired size and made of any suitable material. This sheath, which can be circular or have any other shape in cross section, is formed substantially U-shape with its ends 2 that are to abut when the link is completed curving toward each other. The core 3 is also made substantially U-shape of wire of a diameter that will just lill the opening in the sheath with which it is to be used. This Specification of Letters atent.

Patented Ney. le, i915. Serial No. 26,62

core is considerably longer than the sheath and the legs of the core are somewhat closer -together than the legs of the sheath. The ends of the "legs of the core are tapered so that when they are forced into the sheath` the leg 5 is bent outward and curved more gradually than the dendy of the other leg. Core legs of this form enter into and slide freely in the curved ends of the sheath without unduly straining or deforining the sheath. lhen the parts are forced together for closing the link the end of the leg 4l follows around the interior with its tip bearing against the inner wall of the sheathing, while the end of the leg 5 follows around with its tip closely hugging the outer wall of the sheathing. This eliminates any liability of interference with each other of the ends of the legs of the core and insures their passing each other so that they will preperly wedge togetherin the interior of the sheath.

The tapering portion of the leg 4l is provided with a notch 6 on one side and the tapering portion of the leg 5 on the same side is provided with an inwardly struck tongue 7. `When thecore is forced into the sheath and the ends of the sheath are brought together so as to complete the link, which may be accomplished by a hand tool or in a machine, and the tapering portion of the legs of the core have passed each other so as to fill the sheath, the tongue on the one leg springs into the notch on the other leg and locks the legs together so that the core cannot be pulled apart without fracturing the structure.

These links may be completely formed by the manufacturer, or the sheathings and cores can be sold disassembled, to be assembled by the user. The sheathings for these links may be made of gold, silver, or other precious metal, or they may be made of brass, copper, or other base metal, depend ing upon the use to which they are to be put, and of course they may be made of any desired size and shape. The cores are desirably made of steel, or other suitable metal which will impart the requisite strength to lli) the link. These links are particularly serviceable Whenrthe sheaths are inade of precious metal for uniting parts of chains and articles of jewelry, and when inade larger and of heavierrmaterial they are suitable for securing handles and many other articles used in the hardware, plumbing and urniture-trades which are commonly fastened loy'links..`V *Y l The invention claimed is: c

l. A ylink composed of a' tubular sheath and a core, said core having its ends overy.flappedfand interlocledhwithin the tubular sheath.

*A Gopies of this patent may be obtained Vfor 2. A link composed of a tubular sheath and a solidl core', said core having its ends tapered and overlapped, vviththe tapered fand overlapped ends interlocked Within the' Isheath. Y a Y 3.'Alinl formed of a tubular sheath and sheath, with the ends of the legs of the coreA tapered and curved so they will pass each other and overlap and lill lthe sheath When they are forced thereinand the ends vof the sheathy are Vbrought togethen .iosnrnpnnnnrrn i ve centsA each, -by addressing the Commissioner of Patents; Washington, D. C. v 

